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A Horse Racing Question & Answer – Answering YOUR questions!

Welcome to this weekends post, it is a slightly different post, but one I felt I should do, I get asked so many questions about racing and my love for the sport so I thought I would get them all answered in one post. Throughout this week I have placed a question box on multiple Instagram stories for you to throw your questions at me and I had so many more than I imagined. So I am going to jump straight into it and get answering every single one of them! Some were similar questions to others so they will be answered within one question if that makes sense! So lets go!

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1) How did you get into horse racing?

This is probably my MOST asked question EVER. My dad has always watched racing, so from a very young age I watched it with him. One of my earliest memories in my life is when I was around 5/6 years old and we were at Stratford racecourse in the centre of the course, AP McCoy had had a fall around the back, so was walking back around and I shouted “look mom it’s AP” because at that point he was one of the only people I actually knew in racing. And as he always has been, he was a complete gentleman, who came straight over to us and took photos and signed my dad’s programme and I guess growing up I stuck with the sport and now I absolutely love it.

2) What horses do you have shares in?

So as everybody knows by now, I have shares in Pentland Hills trained by Nicky Henderson. I also have Sabrina trained by Paul Nicholls, Paris Dixie trained by Nicky Henderson, Gylo trained by Dan Skelton, Gilka trained by Dan Skelton and Cable Guy trained by Charlie Fellowes.

3) Do you still think Pentland Hills can win the Champion Hurdle after Haydock?

Personally I say we can’t rule him out, with more pace – which the CH should have – I think he would be perfectly fine and certainly come close. I’m not saying he’s a record breaking horse, but he is still very very young, only 5 years old, if it doesn’t happen for him this year he has plenty of time to achieve great things. He has already done incredibly well, so he owes us nothing at all.

4) True opinions of the Owners Group?

For me, there are many many aspects I don’t like about Owners Group, these I have voiced to the management of Owners Group and are being investigated so I won’t comment any further. But for £40-£60 a year and a taste of being an ‘owner’ I can’t complain. It’s more for the passion of the sport rather than trying to make money etc.

5) Are you planning on visiting any smaller yards?

This is literally a question I am asked so much. And the simple answer is yes, I have a few smaller, lesser known yards planned for this year. If anyone has any yards in particular they would love me to cover then drop me a message and I will try my best to arrange those!

6) Do you get paid for the content you create?

The simple answer is no, I don’t. I have worked in social media and blogging for a long while so some posts I have across Instagram & Twitter are occasionally sponsored/paid/ads/gifted, all of which I always hashtag due to new laws, but as far as blog content is concerned I don’t get paid for it, it is simply a passion!

7) Flat or jumps?

To put it simply, jumps. I have always preferred jumps racing, I don’t really know why, that’s just my preference. I do still enjoy flat racing, I just very much prefer jumps!

8) Opinions on Little Rory Mac?

I have spoken out about this situation a million and one times over on Twitter, he’s now gone to new owners and a new trainer so I guess we will see what happens. I dislike the owner, I think his attitude is disgusting and I think the BHA need to do more to stop him from essentially bragging on social media with a photo of a handbrake etc, that is all I am saying on the matter, I am sure most of you have seen my opinions loud and clear on Twitter.

9) Are you going to Cheltenham?

I am. I will be there on the Tuesday and Friday this year, my personal favourite two days!

10) Who is your favourite horse past or present?

Okay, so personally I have 2 favourite horses ever, one is Native River, the other is Faugheen. Each for their own reason, they’re just the two horses I truly adore with my whole heart.

11) Best stable visit you have had so far?

Honestly, I don’t have a favourite. I have thoroughly enjoyed each visit I have had, they have all been so welcoming and I’ve loved every single one. Every yard is ran slightly differently so I have loved every one of them and learning how different they all are.

12) What other plans do you have for your blog this year? Interviews? Yard visits?

I actually have so much planned. More stable visits, more interviews, more guest posts, honestly some amazing content. Keep your eyes peeled is all I can say!

13) How long have you liked racing?

I went racing with my parents from a very very young age, I only really started to understand it and get into it properly from around 15/16 years old though.

14) What is your goal for 2020?

Within racing/blogging my goal is to continue doing what I love, to continue introducing new people into the sport I love and just enjoying what I do. I think if you enjoy what you do then it’s all worth it in the end.

15) Do you have a bucket list? Dubai World Cup? Breeders Cup?

Of course! What horse racing fan doesn’t? The two I have always wanted to see are the Melbourne Cup and Breeders Cup!

I think it’s still so early to be able to tell, trainers have so many options for their horses so for me I can’t call it this early, however personal views… Triumph – Allmankind is a very impressive horse, 3 from 3 so far, Dan (Skelton) has said he’ll now be rested until the Festival, I think he’s a class horse, definitely in with a shout. Ballymore – Envoi Allen is just a class horse, I don’t see anything beating him. Supreme – I like the look of Andy Dufresne, I think Gordon will avoid Envoi Allen personally so 100% a strong contender for the Supreme if entered.

17) What race are you most excited for at the Cheltenham Festival this year?

Ooo, interesting question, I think for me this year it has to be the Champion Hurdle. Normally it’s typical Buveur d’Air to win, but this year with him out, it is so wide open. I can’t call it, so many talented horses potentially to run, I think it’ll definitely be an exciting race to watch!

18) Opinions on a 5 day Festival?

Erm, I don’t see the point really. I mean 4 days is sufficient, I feel as though they will dilute the rest of the week just to add another day. Quality over quantity springs to mind. Personally think it’s just a money making idea.

19) Who is your favourite trainer and jockey?

Interesting question, for me my favourite jockey is probably between Richard Johnson – Just a brilliant ambassador for the sport and probably Sam Twiston-Davies who was one of the first jockey’s I really started to follow when I was getting into racing. I don’t particularly have a favourite trainer, there’s a few I follow and like but I wouldn’t say I have a favourite.

20) Opinions on bloggers interviewing people on race days?

Personally I don’t see an issue with it, if the jockey/trainer/owner is happy to be interviewed then what’s the issue? It’s the 21st century, the sport needs to get with it and realise that blogging and social media is absolutely massive right now and only getting bigger, so surely they should be encouraging younger people to blog and post on social media to get the sport reaching a new and younger generation.

21) Favourite racecourse you have been to?

I loved York. I think it is just a gorgeous place, definitely one of my favourites so far.

22) Thoughts on Bryony Frost?

I think she’s incredible. She is doing incredible and she’s a brilliant ambassador for the sport.

23) Would you like to do blogging as a full time job?

I mean, what blogger wouldn’t? It would be a dream to do something I love as a full time job, maybe one day!

24) Favourite horse you have met so far on your visits?

There is only one answer to this question and of course that is Native River. If you know me you’ll know that Native River is and always has been one of my favourite horses, so to finally meet him and have a cuddle was a dream.

25) Are you going to visit any Irish yards?

I hope so! Keep your eyes peeled.

26) Honest (not biased) opinion, is Pentland Hills as good as he was last year?

Erm, it’s a tough one. I think last year he surprised a lot of people, even those who had brought shares, he just sort of came out of nowhere. I think he’s had two decent runs, first run maybe disappointing, second run to be pipped on the line is heartbreaking. I think he’s looking good, I just don’t think we can compare him to last year because he’s gone up to a whole new level. He’s only five years old, so we need to see how things go I suppose.

I mean it would be nice, but the Champion Hurdle is wide open this year so anyone could win it really.

29) Who do you go with to the racing/tours?

I go with my Mom and Dad, nothing better than spending time with the two most important people in my life doing something we all love and enjoy!

30) What are your plans for your YouTube channel?

I am planning to do a lot of Vlog style videos visiting stables/races etc. I have so many videos from stable visits that never get posted anywhere so I would love to put them into Vlog style videos!

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So there we have it, the top 30 questions I have been asked this week about racing. I hope it gives you a bit more of an insight into me and why I love racing. I have some super exciting posts the next couple weeks so keep your eyes peeled.